Patent GB-173839-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in gyroscopic apparatus
IPC: G01C21/18
Filed: 1920-10-02
Abstract: 173,839. Gray, J. G. Oct. 2, 1920. Gyroscopic apparatus. - In Specifications 14032/15 and 130,697, there are described stabilizers which denend for their action on the movement of parts relatively to a member which rotates continuously about an axis in line with or parallel to the axis of spin of the gyroscope; the present invention consists broadly in the provision of parts, which are capable of movement relatively to the rotating member but do not directly affect the stability, this relative movement being used either to bring into action stabilizing forces or to control the circuit of an electric motor driving the rotating member. In the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 1<a> the rotating disc 1 carries weighed pivoted rods 13, which are associated with pushers 1R and checks 15; during descending movements the rods move against the checks and complete the circuits of electromagnets 11, Fig. 1<a>, which then tilt boxes pivoted on trunnions 6 on the disc 1, so that balls 5 carried in the boxes move towards the centre of the disc. In the construction shown in Fig. 4, the weighted pivoted rod 305 is used to complete at the required time the circuit of a motor 310 carrying on its horizontal spindle vanes 312, which produce an erecting couple; alternatively the motor circuit may be completed by means of a ball moving in a tube carrying a contact for the ball. In the construction shown in Fig. 6, the weighted pivoted rods 503 close the circuits of electromagnets, which draw in towards the central axis pivoted rods 508 carrying masses 507. In the construction shown in Fig. 5, vanes 414 are mounted on a spindle 411. carried by a flexible member 413 drawn in by the action of an electromagnet controlled in the manner previously described, upon the armature 413 so as to bring the end of the shaft 411 into contact with a rotating shaft 410. In the construction shown in Fig. 7<a>, the pivoted weighted rods 611 when moving downwards move screens 614 so as to uncover air-jet nozzles 615 of the gyroscope casing which is universally mounted in a frame rotated by an electric motor about a vertical axis; in one alternative construction an auxiliary gyroscope with the erecting system described is rotated by a motor carried on the main gyroscope mounted on a non-rotating frame; in another alternative construction the pivoted screens are mounted on a rotating plate carried on the main gyroscope; the screen system may be operated by electromagnets controlled by pivoted weighted rods as previously described. During motion in a curved path the erector may be put out of action, electromagnetic clutches being provided on the pusher rods and arms so as to be operated by centrifugal action; in apparatus subject to rhythmic accelerations as on board ship electromagnetic clutches are used to hold the rods when their inclination to the fore-and-aft direction is small. In the construction shown in Fig. 11 the balls 1005 are projected towards the centre by studs 1006 on the ends of pivoted rods carrying the armatures of electromagnets controlled by the pivoted rods 1002; alternatively a jet of air may be used to propel the balls inwardly when screens are displaced by electromagnetic devices controlled as described. In the construction shown in Fig. 13, balls 2105 are drawn inwardly when descending by solenoids 2103 controlled by pivoted rods 2102. A pivot for the pivoted rods. shown in Fig. 16, consists of a rod 3008 mounted in ball bearings and carried by a float 3005 with a steel bearing point; the lower part of the casing is filled with mercury, and the upper part with oil, vanes 3007 being provided to form a dash pot. In place of the pivoted rods used in controlling circuits there may be employed glass tubes containing mercury and having a pair of contacts to be connected by the mercury upon tilting of the tubes. In apparatus comprising means for regulating the speed of the continuously rotating member, pivoted weighted rods as previously described are used for introducing resistances into the circuit of the driving motor; mechanical braking means for the shaft carrying the rotating member shown in Fig. 3, comprise a block 215 pressed upon a disc 214 on the rotating shaft by the action of an electromagnet 213 upon an armature 216 mounted on a flexible member carrying the block 215, pivoted rods 205 being employed for controlling the circuit of the electromagnet. One Provisional Specification describes constructions in which a torque-producing fan is carried on the end of an arm rotated about the axis of the gyroscope.